The American President

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk the inaugural parade route in Washington, Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Presidential hopefuls burn bright, then fade. Poll numbers rise and fall. Presidents pass the torch, administrations change. Through it all, one constant remains: The Associated Press’ coverage of the American president. Ever since Zachary Taylor and the Whig Party took over the White House more than 150 years ago, AP reporters and photographers have been the dominant source of presidential news for media across America and around the world.

The Associated Press is pleased to offer news outlets, universities and other groups a powerful multimedia package showcasing AP’s photographic coverage of the presidents that includes a selection of more than 80 iconic and unforgettable photographs.

In an introduction written specially for this photo exhibit, former President George H.W. Bush says: “The men and women who have covered the White House for the AP dating back to the middle part of the 19th Century have truly had a ‘front-row seat to history.’ Through their lenses, succeeding generations of AP photodogs have captured both the ecstasy and agony of the American Presidency, and contributed in important ways to the historical record of each administration.”

>>Information for Exhibitors/Venues

“The American President” consists of 16 panels, placed on easels. The exhibit is available at minimal cost to journalism schools, libraries, colleges, news organizations, historical societies, museums and similar institutions. Additional information for exhibitors is available in the “Local Obligations” section at the bottom of the page.

To arrange to show this display, please fill out the PDF order form (and fax it to Emily Leshner in AP Corporate Communications at 212.621.1723). Note: all exhibits are subject to availability; all requests will be processed on a first come, first served basis.

>>See the Images

AP photographers accompany the president everywhere. Wearying routine and photo ops can yield in an instant to breaking news that moves the world and dominates front pages, broadcasts and websites.

For the journalists of the world’s oldest and largest news agency, the mandate of covering the White House remains the same as it was in Lincoln’s day: Be accurate, be fair and be fast. For photographers, who can never catch up to a missed opportunity, it means never taking your eye off the president.

The photos in this exhibition are drawn from the AP Images photo archive, containing more than 10 million film and digital images, making it one of the most extensive collections of news and documentary images anywhere.

View selection of photos in the exhibit

>>The American President Exhibit and PowerPoint

The American President Photo Exhibit
Large display panels, mounted on easels, featuring photos with contextual captions highlighting AP’s photographic coverage of American presidents. See samples.

Details:

16 panels, each 36 inches wide x 27 inches high.

16 easels/stands, each with a 3-foot footprint circumference.

Exhibit ships in 2 cases -- includes set-up/tear down instructions

Display in large spaces - 30x30 feet minimum space required.

Panel Content:

The American President content intro (1); Campaigns and Elections (3); At War (2); International Relations (2); Crisis and Scandal (2); Assassinations and Attempts (2); For the Record (2); At Ease (2)

The American President PowerPoint

“The American President” exhibits and presentations are available at minimal cost to journalism schools, libraries, colleges, news organizations, historical societies, museums and other similar institutions. The only obligations of the exhibitor/host venue are as follows:

Promote display. Download The American President promotional flyer and AP fact sheet.

Arrange means of displaying photo presentation (TV, computer, other).

Set up, break down and repack display into shipping containers according to provided instructions.

Arrange FedEx pickup of display on appointed date. AP will cover a one-way cost of shipping exhibit to host venue; the host venue will cover cost of return shipping to AP or directly to the next host site.

Return complete exhibit in good condition promptly following use. Exhibitor/host venue is responsible for one-way shipping cost to return exhibit.

Additional AP-branded promotional items can be purchased online at AP’s company store site – www.apessentials.org

>> The American President in the Press

To request AP staff interviews or speakers, or use of photos from the exhibits, contact AP Corporate Communications, at 212.621.1720.